Samsung Shipping 3-Door Fridge, Launches Social-Networking Site

By Alan Wolf -- TWICE, 11/17/2008

RIDGEFIELD PARK, N.J. — Samsung Electronics America has begun shipping the RFG299 three-door refrigerator, the company's latest addition to its expanding kitchen suite.

The RFG299 features a 7-inch LCD touchscreen above the ice and water dispenser and, like its predecessor, provides 28.5 cubic feet of internal storage, which Samsung describes as the industry's largest capacity within a standard footprint.

The LCD touchscreen was designed to give consumers easy access to calendars, schedules, showcase photos, nutrition facts and unit conversions, the company said, while a touch of the screen can control the refrigerator's temperature or monitor the water filter status.

"Whether entertaining friends or preparing dinner with the family, Samsung understands the kitchen is the focal point in today's modern home," said James Politeski, home appliance sales and marketing VP. "The 7-inch LCD touchscreen takes our already highly regarded 28.5-cubic-foot French door refrigerator to a new level of innovation all to make life a little easier for our customers."

Samsung achieved the large interior capacity without expanding the unit's external dimensions by employing high-rate urethane insulation technology. The urethane allowed the thickness of the refrigerator walls to be reduced from 2.04 inches to 1.38 inches, which provided an additional 3.5 cubic feet of storage space for consumers, representing a 14 percent increase in cavity size.

Other features of the RFG299 include:

LED interior lighting, which is markedly brighter than lamp-based illumination;
an "EZ-Open" handle that readily breaks the freezer seal, eliminating the need for force when opening; and
fashionable exterior door handles, hidden hinges and a stainless-steel finish.

The RFG299 also offers Samsung's patented "twin cooling plus" system, which cools the refrigerator and freezer sections separately to keep compartment odors apart and ice cubes tasting fresh.

The model made its first marketplace appearance at select Best Buy locations and carries a $3,100 suggested retail.

Samsung was recently cited by J.D. Power and Associates in its 2008 Home Appliance Study as the highest-ranked brand in customer satisfaction for side-by-side/French door refrigerators, owing to their performance, ease of use, styling and feel, and operational features. The citation marked the fourth consecutive year that Samsung has received a customer satisfaction award from J.D. Power for refrigerators.

In other Samsung majap news, the company has launched an online social network for homemakers that celebrates "life, laundry and the pursuit of cleanliness." The site, dubbed Moms Like Us, located at www.samsungmomslikeus.com, balances product information and social media. Participants can enter a sweepstakes to win a Samsung laundry pair, post and respond to messages, start their own groups within Moms Like Us, and take part in building "Laundry-Pedia," an encyclopedia of laundry tips.

Along with product information, the site also features four "Samsung Moms." The matriarchs are among a group of families that were given a new Samsung washer and dryer and asked to share their thoughts and user experiences.

"This is an exciting opportunity to launch a product line like this," said Samsung marketing communications VP Peggy Ang. "I'm amazed and delighted by the response to our washers and dryers. It's great to see both moms and dads alike interacting and sharing tips."